Reddy on soccer slip-up

Updated: December 16, 2010

SASCOC CEO Tubby Reddy on Thursday absolved the country’s Olympic governing body of any blame for the South African football side not being included in the draw for next year’s All-Africa Games in Maputo, Mozambique.

Reddy was reacting to conjecture that SASCOC was responsible for ensuring the inclusion of South Africa in the football qualifying draw that took place this week. The first round of qualification matches start on January 7, 2011.

“It’s really a simple matter.┬á We don’t get involved in the qualifying of teams or athletes,” said Reddy. “In the case of football CAF (Confederation of African Football) would have communicated with the South African Football Association in relation to the qualifying process, as would have other team sports like volleyball or basketball.”

“It’s purely a matter between the African Confederation and the national federation and that national federation must give an indication if they want to compete. The process is that there is an intention-to-compete form, a sort of entry-by-number form that we at SASCOC submitted to the Organising committee in Maputo.

“After the qualifying process the African Confederation would inform SAFA that they have qualified, and then inform the organising committee that these are the teams who have qualifed.”

Reddy went on to say the issue of qualifying rested squarely with the federation and that the ball is in their court. “I must advise the President of SAFA that the entire qualification process falls solely under his jurisdiction.”

“Should they qualify and also satisfy SASCOC’s own selection policy then we take it a step further and say whether we’re sending a team or not. The delivery of the teams to the games is the responsibility of SASCOC, not the qualifying process. As such, this matter is out of our hands at SASCOC.”